Background
David Allan was born on February 13, 1744, in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. He was the son of David Allan, shoremaster, and Janet (Gullan) Allan. James Allan was his halfbrother.
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
David Allan studied at the Foulis Academy from 1755 till 1762.
David Allan was born on February 13, 1744, in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. He was the son of David Allan, shoremaster, and Janet (Gullan) Allan. James Allan was his halfbrother.
David Allan attended the Foulis Academy in Glasgow from 1755 till 1762.
In 1764, David Allan moved to Rome, where he lived for ten years. This was the most successful period of his life. In Rome, Allan painted ambitious historical pictures, portraits, caricatures and genre scenes. Among the original works which he then painted was the "Origin of Portraiture", now in the National Gallery at Edinburgh, representing a Corinthian maid drawing her lover's shadow.
On returning to London in 1777, he spent two years trying to establish himself as potrait painter. Unsuccessful and ill, in 1780 he returned to Scotland where he specialised in painting family groups. He also produced book illustrations
In 1786, Allan was appointed the director of the Trustees' Academy, where he became known as the "Scottish Hogarth". He died ten years later at the age of 52 after a lifetime dedicated to painting.
Lady Charlotte Erskine
Sir Hugh Patterson, Bt, MP
Lead Processing at Leadhills. Smelting the Ore
1789Portrait of Two Boys
1783Clackmann Pow and Hill with the River Forth Looking East
The Children of David Allan
1790Francesco Ravai, Known as 'Baiocco'
1777James Tassie, Sculptor and Gem Engraver
1781Sir John Halkett of Pitfirrane, 4th Baronet, Mary Hamilton, Lady Halkett and their Family
1781Niel Gow, Violinist and Composer, with his Brother Donald Gow, Cellist
1780Hope (triptych, centre panel)
Charles Watson, Esq., and His Wife, Lady Mary, with Their Two Children, James and Anne in a Landscape
1782The Origin of Painting (also known as The Maid of Corinth)
1775The Forth at Alloa
James Craig, Architect
1781Lead Processing at Leadhills. Weighing the Lead Bars
The Vestals Attending the Sacred Fire
1772The Family of the Island of Procida with Vesuvius in the Background
1775Charity (triptych, right wing)
John Francis, 7th Earl of Mar, and Family
Mrs James Tassie, probably Ann Harker
1779William Inglis, Surgeon and Captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
1787The Continence of Scipio
1774Faith (triptych, left wing)
Anne Forbes, Artist
1781Mrs Scott, Mother of Sir Walter Scott
The Connoisseurs. John Caw, John Bonar and James Bruce
1783James Erskine, Lord Alva, and his Family
1778Lead Processing at Leadhills. Pounding the Ore
Thomas, Lord Erskine
The Interior of the Foulis Academy of Fine Arts
James Abercromby of Tullibody, Esq.
1779Lady Catherine Bruce of Clackmannan
1780Professor John Anderson
The Uncultivated Genius
1775Lady Frances Erskine
1764Portrait of a Young Man in a Green Jacket
The Spreull Family
1793James Colvin
Sir William Hamilton
1775Professor Francis Home
Jean Duff (1746–1805), Lady Grant
1780View near Duddingston Loch
View of Linlithgow Palace
On October 28, 1788 David Allan married Shirley Welsh. They had five children, three of whom died in their infancy.